Circuit patching devices

ABSTRACT

MULTICONDUCTOR CIRCUIT PATCHING CONNECTION DEVICES FOR MAKING ALTERNATIVE CONNECTIONS OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT ARE DESIRED. A FIRST PLUG, NORMALLY ENGAGED WITH A FIRST RECEPTACLE, IS DISENGAGED THEREFROM BY MEANS ACTUATED BY INSERTION OF A SECOND PLUG INTO A SECOND RECEPTACLE. WITHDRAWAL OF THE SECOND PLUG ACTUATES MEANS FOR RESTORING ENGAGEMENT OF THE FIRST PLUG WITH THE FIRST RECEPTACLE.

United States Patent Harry 1.. Vloscn, Jr.

Mandevflle, La.

July 24, 1969 June 28, 1971 The United States 01 America as represented by the Secretary 01 the Navy Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee CIRCUIT PATCHING DEVICES Primary Examiner- David Smith, Jr. Attorney-Joseph C. Warfield, John W. Pease and Harvey A.

David 5 Chlm56 Drawing Figs ABSTRACT: Multiconductor circuit patching connection U5. 4C1. 20061.1, devices for making alternative connections of electrical equip- 200/51.09 ment are described. A first plug, normally engaged with a first Int. 1Z1. H0lr 33/30 receptacle, is disengaged therefrom by means actuated by in- Fleld 01 Search 290/1.Q7-1. 09, sertion of a second plug into a second receptacle. Withdrawal 1001 1970; 339/42, 45 (M); of the second plug actuates means for restoring engagement of ZOO/50.02 the first plug with the first receptacle.

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11 um u u flea zz 14 30 far! CIRCUIT IPATCIIIING DEVICES STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the art of patching in electrical circuitry. One present method of patching in audio and DC circuits involves the use of jack panels or boards and patch cords of the type commonly associated with telephone patch panels This requires that many individual patches be made to accomplish a given multiconductor patching task. This invites the possibility of making errors, takes considerable time to make a multiconductor patch, and such patches are bulky and require excess panel space.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide apparatus for use in effecting multiconductor patch connections quickly and efficiently, and also for restoring straight through connections upon removal ofthe patch connections.

It is another object of this invention to provide a modular, multiconductor patching device which, at least in one em bodiment, can be readily adjusted to render either a make-beforebreak operation or a break-before-make operation.

As another object, this invention aims to accomplish the foregoing through the provision of devices incorporating commercially available types ofmulticonductor plugs and receptacles, sometimes referred to simply as connectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which:

FIG. I is a plan view partly in elevation and partly in section, of a multiconductor patching device embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. l, but showing parts in dif' ferent operative positions;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing parts in different operative positions; and

FIG. 6 is a view taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, there is provided a modular, multiconductor patch device generally indicated at 10. The device It) comprises support means in the form of frame 12 adapted to be secured to a panel 14 as by screws 16. The frame 12, conveniently formed of sheet metal, comprises sidewalls 12a, 12b, and top and bottom walls 12c and 12d. The end of the frame 12 which is secured to the panel 14 is open and in registry with an opening 14a in the panel.

Within the frame 12, and fixed to the walls thereof, are transverse members and 22 having pairs of aligned openings 24 and 26 therein. The members 20, 22 are desirably formed of material which is rigid but which is characterized by low sliding friction, for example nylon or the like.

A pair of operating rods 30 extend through the openings 24, 26 in the members 28, 22 and are reciprocable therein for purposes which will presently be made apparent.

Mounted on the member 22 in a fixed or stationary relation to the frame 12 is an electrical receptacle 32 having soldering terminals 34 extending through an opening in the member 22. The receptacle 32 may be of any desired type adapted to receive an electrical plug moved linearly toward the receptacle. In the present embodiment the receptacle 32 is part of a multiconductor connector of conventional construction.

A plug 36 is mounted on the rods 30 as by nuts 38 engaged on threaded end portions 30a of the rods. The plug 36 is provided with soldering terminals 40 and is adapted to be moved into and out of mating relation with the receptacle 32 by movements of the rods 30.

The ends 3012 of the rods 30 are connected by a member 42 fixed thereto. The member 42, conveniently formed of nylon or the like, has a central opening 42a which is somewhat smaller than the opening 14a of the panel 14.

A member 46, also conveniently formed of nylon or the like, and having a central opening, is slideably carried on the rods 30 between the member 42 fixed to the rods and the member 20 fixed to the frame 112. A multiconductor electrical receptacle 48 is mounted on the member 46 and is adapted to be engaged by a multiconductor plug 50. The receptacle 48 is provided with soldering terminals 480 corresponding to the terminals 34 of receptacle 32.

A pair of compression springs 52 surround the rods 30 between the fixed member 20 and the movable member 46 on which the receptacle 48 is mounted. The springs 52 act to resiliently bias the receptacle 48 to a normal position illustrated in FIG. 1. Another pair of compression springs 54 surround the rods 30 between the fixed member 22 and collars 56 secured to the rods 30. The springs 54 act to resiliently bias the rods 30 to their FIG. I positions and hence act to resiliently urge the movable plug 36 carried by the rods into the position of engagement with the receptacle 32 as illustrated in that FIG.

The plug 50 has a reduced portion 50a which is adapted to be received through the opening 42a in the member 42 fixed to the ends 30b of the rods 30.

A shoulder 50b is defined on the plug 50 between the reduced portion 50a and a larger portion 50c which will be accommodated by the panel opening Ma but not by the opening 42a of the member 42.

When it is desired to make a patch connection utilizing the device it), the plug portion 50a is inserted through openings 14a and 42a, thereby bringing the plug 50 into mating engagement with the receptacle 48 and establishing electrical connections therethrough. When the plug 50 is pushed inwardly of the device 10, the shoulder 50b bears against the member 42 and the receptacle 48 is displaced against the action of the springs 52 which serve to ensure that the receptacle 48 and plug 50 are maintained in firm engagement. Upon further movement of the plug 50 inwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 2, the shoulder 50b displaces the member 42 and the rods 30 against the action of the springs 54. This movement of the rods 30 results in disengagement of the plug 36 from the receptacle 32, thereby breaking electrical connections therethrough.

The plug 50 is adapted to be releasably retained in its inward position by latch means including spring hook members 60 on the plug 50 which cooperate with hooks or catches 62 conveniently secured to the panel 14 by the screws 16.

In the most usual contemplated use ofthe device 10, the terminals 34 and 48a would be connected to the same piece of equipment by suitable flexible wiring (not shown). A terminal block 64 having terminals 66-is secured in the frame 12 at the end remote from the panel 14. The terminals 40 of the movable plug 36 may be connected to the terminals 66 by flexible wiring. The terminals 66 may then be used for conveniently connecting the device 10 to the circuitry of a piece of equipment being served by connections made alternatively through the receptacle 32 or the receptacle 48.

When the plug 50 is removed from the FIG. 2 position, the springs 52, 54 return the receptacle 48 and the plug 36 to their FIG. ll positions, thereby restoring the normal through connections of the plug 36 and receptacle 32.

lt will be observed that the operation of the device as described above consists of a make-before-break sequence both during patchingand unpatching. If it is desired not to have a make-before-break operation, but rather a break-before-make one, this may be accomplished by assembling the device with the springs 52 disposed between the member 42 and the member 46 instead of between members 42 and as illustrated. This arrangement will cause the receptacle 48 to assume a position against the member 20 so that the plug 50 will not reach mating engagement with the receptacle 48 until after the plug 36 has separated from the receptacle 32.

Referring particularly to FIG. 3, the device 10 may further comprise a monitoring receptacle 70 resiliently mounted behind a panel opening 14b. The receptacle 70 is mounted on a member 72 which is slidable on a pair of headed studs 74 secured to the member 20, a pair of springs 76 normally holding the member 72 and receptacle 70 in a position adjacent the panel 14. The springs 76 allow the receptacle 70 to be displaced sufficiently upon insertion of a plug such as 50 into opening 14b to allow the latch means to retain the plug.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 4- 6, there is provided a multiconductor patching device 80 comprising a first receptacle 82 mounted on a panel 84 and a second receptacle 86 mounted in spaced, back-to-back relation thereto. The spacing of the second receptacle is afforded by spacers 88 which also serve as bearing means for a pair of parallel rods 90.

The rods 90 have threaded end portions 90a on which is mounted an electrical plug 92 by means of nuts 94. The ends of the rods 90 remote from the plug 92 are interconnected by a yoke member 96. The yoke member 96 is provided with grooves or slots 98 which are adapted to receive flanges or ears 100 ofa plug 102.

A plug 102 may have its ears 100 received in the slots 98 of the yoke 96 when in the position shown in FIG. 5. Thereafter, upon pushing the plug 102 inwardly to mating engagement with the receptacle 82, the rods 90 will move the plug 92 out of engagement with the receptacle 86. The resulting positions are illustrated in FIG. 5.

When the plug 102 is withdrawn from engagement with the receptacle 82, the yoke 96 and rods 90 serve to return the plug 92 to its state of engagement with the receptacle 86.

lclaim:

l. A patching device comprising:

support means comprising a frame adapted to be secured to a panel and including spaced transverse members, said support means also comprising actuating means carried by said frame;

a first receptacle fixedly mounted on said frame;

a second receptacle mounted on said support means in back-to-back relation to said first receptacle, said second receptacle being movable with respect to said frame and connected to said actuating means;

a first plug mounted on said support means for movements with respect to said frame out of and into mating engagement with said first receptacle;

said actuating means comprising rods connected to said first plug and slideable in aligned openings in said transverse members for effecting said movements of said first plug in response to movements of a second plug into and out of mating engagement with said second receptacle; and

spring means operative between said frame and said second receptacle to resiliently bias said second receptacle to a first position, said second receptacle being movable to a second position in response to movement of said second plug.

2. A patching device as defined in claim I, and wherein:

said spring means comprise compression coil springs disposed around said rods and acting against said transverse members.

3. A patching device as defined in claim 2, and comprising:

additional spring means operative on said actuating means to resiliently bias said first plu into engagement with said first receptacle upon remova of said second plug from said second receptacle.

4. A patching device as defined in claim 3, and comprising:

latch means for releasably securing said second plug in a position in engagement with said second receptacle and said first plug out of engagement with said first receptacle.

S. A patching device as defined in claim 1, and wherein:

said actuating means comprises first and second rods connected to said first plug and reciprocable with respect to said frame, yoke means connecting said first and second rods, and means on said second plug for engaging and moving said yoke means with said second plug. 

